Our colleague and friend Shannon Moore has died. For any in the Gulf Coast trenches — at your computer or wading through the muck — Shannon was alongside you in some way. Her dedication was unsurpassed. Please keep Shannon and her family in your prayers.

Thursday, June 29, 2006

Shannon Moore’s work for animals leaves an imprint that transcends her death.

Although Katrina ravaged her own home and possessions, Shannon looked into the eyes of forgotten animals and saw hope. She never viewed animal storm victims as a finite problem, but rather, as part of a continuum to elevate animal welfare standards in Louisiana.

Shannon planned and carried out a People & Pets March to Louisiana’s state capitol in Baton Rouge.

She was instrumental in rallying support and awareness about SB-607, Louisiana’s Pet Evacuation Bill. Working with Kinship Circle’s Brenda Shoss, press releases, PSAs, alerts, flyers, and action campaigns were streamlined into a non-stop push to pass a bill that ensures no pets are left behind in the next disaster.

On behalf of the animals she loved, Shannon formed (SOS) Supporters of Save Our Pets, and worked tirelessly to save the lives of hundreds of thousands of hurricane stranded animals. Shannon volunteered for food/water programs to sustain displaced pets and strays in the streets. She advocated spay/neuter drives to help curb a pet overpopulation crisis worsened by roaming animals in the aftermath of last year’s storms.

Shannon realized most of the lost souls she comforted knew warm laps, familiar voices and homes before the hurricanes. She became a Stealth Volunteer to assist in reunions between pets and their people.

Horses were Shannon’s great love, and to help them she created the HayThere group to assist hay producers and consumers via an online marketplace for hay and feed goods.

One of Shannon’s great gifts was an innate ability to bring information, people, transports and supplies together. If all else failed, she'd hop into a vehicle and deliver the feed/supplies herself. It is difficult to estimatethe huge quantity of food and supplies she moved for large and small animals struggling to survive in Gulf Coast areas. She was a one-woman information clearinghouse. Any animal rescue group who needed statistics, a news story, or contact information counted on Shannon.

Shannon practiced compassion in an unassuming way that never called for recognition or accolades. She simply embraced the lives of people and animals as if they were her own. Shannon Moore was a friend, daughter, wife, and angel for animals. We’ll feel her presence in her many great achievements. Still, we will miss her everyday.

Donate Pet Crates In Memory of Shannon Moore
Send a pet crate, in memory of Shannon, to:
Louisiana Dept. of Agriculture & Forestry
100 North Ardenwood
Baton Rouge, LA 70805
Attention: Hilary Stephenson
Please attach a note saying it is in memory of Shannon Moore and include your name and contact info (email, snail mail). Keep a copy for yourself too, until we figure out how to keep records on this. Then we can let her
Family know that her Spirit is continuing to do her good works.
MORE INFORMATION: JudyMcD44@aol.com